Mayors Decry Sheriff`s Tamarac Patrol

PARKLAND — Hoping to head off Broward Sheriff Nick Navarro at the pass, an angry Northwest Council of Mayors on Monday vowed to keep unwanted deputies from patrolling streets in any city.

During an unusually lively discussion at the monthly luncheon, Tamarac Mayor Philip Kravitz was seeking support from fellow mayors to help force Navarro to call off his deputies.

``If you have an emergency, sure, then come on in,`` Kravitz said. ``But we have no emergency and we don`t want you (Navarro).``

The mayors, who represent 10 cities, unanimously agreed to send a tersely worded resolution to Navarro demanding that he get permission from city officials before patrolling inside a municipality.

For two weeks, sheriff`s deputies have been patrolling Tamarac neighborhoods since Navarro sent in three dog patrols, two motorcycle officers and a deputy in a patrol car.

Based on newspaper stories quoting Tamarac Police Chief Joseph McIntosh, Navarro said he ordered the deputies into Tamarac because he believed Tamarac`s Police Department of 67 sworn officers was not an adequate number to protect its approximately 32,251 residents.

Since the deputies came into town, Tamarac has been a hotbed of controversy -- much of which is fueling intense city election campaigns.

To wit: McIntosh was suspended for three days; a group of about 45 marchers gathered in front of City Hall to show support for the city`s police chief; and the City Council on Feb. 4 approved a resolution by a 3-0 vote to urge Navarro to withdraw his deputies.

The mayors` group Monday immediately lauded Kravitz in his fight to get the deputies out of Tamarac.

``You mean they just storm trooped into your city?`` asked Parkland Mayor Becky Gerren. ``My fear is that what has happened in Tamarac can happen in any city in Broward County.``

Coral Springs Mayor Ben Geiger likened the turn of events to a military coup.

``Because he (Navarro) has people who carry guns, he thinks he can do anything he damn well pleases,`` Geiger said. ``I think it`s a blatant misuse of political power.``

Margate Mayor Ben Goldner was hesitant to approve a resolution until getting approval from his city`s attorney.

He wanted to make sure the resolution stated that deputies are allowed to patrol cities, but only at the request of those city officials.

Goldner also said a Special Weapons and Tactics team conducted practice exercises in Margate last week without notifying City Hall.

Coconut Creek Mayor George Mallitz said he thinks Navarro wants to take over every one of Broward`s 28 cities.

``I, for one, will not permit the sheriff into Coconut Creek,`` Mallitz said. ``I think it`s too much for one man to control.``

Kravitz said if the resolution submitted by the Northwest Council of Mayors does not convince Navarro to leave Tamarac, then he will take his fight to the Broward League of Cities and then to Gov. Bob Graham.

Hoping to head off Broward Sheriff Nick Navarro at the pass, an angry Northwest Council of Mayors on Monday vowed to keep unwanted deputies from patrolling streets in any city.

During an unusually lively discussion at the monthly luncheon, Tamarac Mayor Philip Kravitz was seeking support from fellow mayors to help force Navarro to call off his deputies.

``If you have an emergency, sure, then come on in,`` Kravitz said. ``But we have no emergency and we don`t want you (Navarro).``

The mayors, who represent 10 cities, unanimously agreed to send a tersely worded resolution to Navarro demanding that he get permission from city officials before patrolling inside a municipality.

For two weeks, sheriff`s deputies have been patrolling Tamarac neighborhoods since Navarro sent in three dog patrols, two motorcycle officers and a deputy in a patrol car.

Based on newspaper stories quoting Tamarac Police Chief Joseph McIntosh, Navarro said he ordered the deputies into Tamarac because he believed Tamarac`s Police Department of 67 sworn officers was not an adequate number to protect its approximately 32,251 residents.

Since the deputies came into town, Tamarac has been a hotbed of controversy -- much of which is fueling intense city election campaigns.

To wit: McIntosh was suspended for three days; a group of about 45 marchers gathered in front of City Hall to show support for the city`s police chief; and the City Council on Feb. 4 approved a resolution by a 3-0 vote to urge Navarro to withdraw his deputies.

The mayors` group Monday immediately lauded Kravitz in his fight to get the deputies out of Tamarac.

``You mean they just storm trooped into your city?`` asked Parkland Mayor Becky Gerren. ``My fear is that what has happened in Tamarac can happen in any city in Broward County.``

Coral Springs Mayor Ben Geiger likened the turn of events to a military coup.

``Because he (Navarro) has people who carry guns, he thinks he can do anything he damn well pleases,`` Geiger said. ``I think it`s a blatant misuse of political power.``

Margate Mayor Ben Goldner was hesitant to approve a resolution until getting approval from his city`s attorney.

He wanted to make sure the resolution stated that deputies are allowed to patrol cities, but only at the request of those city officials.

Goldner also said a Special Weapons and Tactics team conducted practice exercises in Margate last week without notifying City Hall.

Coconut Creek Mayor George Mallitz said he thinks Navarro wants to take over every one of Broward`s 28 cities.

``I, for one, will not permit the sheriff into Coconut Creek,`` Mallitz said. ``I think it`s too much for one man to control.``

Kravitz said if the resolution submitted by the Northwest Council of Mayors does not convince Navarro to leave Tamarac, then he will take his fight to the Broward League of Cities and then to Gov. Bob Graham.